Lab equipment for rapid testing of COVID-19 arrived Thursday at Southwest Memorial Hospital.
The much-anticipated BD MAX Lab Analyzer produces test results in two to four hours, compared with two to four days for lab work a plane flight away.
“This is a big step forward toward managing this disease,” said Tony Sudduth, CEO of Southwest Health System.
The unit came with 240 COVID-19 test kits. Additional kits have been ordered, but hospitals face a nationwide shortage.
Because of the nationwide shortage of test kits, community-wide testing is not feasible. But in-house lab work allows local health officials to quickly process suspected samples and target front-line workers, first responders and patients for testing.
“Having this expanded capability for testing speeds up the process of identifying positive cases and contact tracing,” Sudduth said. “That way, quarantines can happen quicker, and the spread is more controlled.”
The BD Max Analyzer detects the genetic material of COVID-19 from nose or throat swabs, said SHS Lab Director Alan Laird. It can hold 24 samples.
“The process used to amplify DNA and RNA with the BD Max is extremely sensitive and specific for the target organism, making it much more accurate and with less of a sample than other tests and methodologies,” Laird stated.
The specialized unit is capable of detecting numerous communicable diseases including chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas and various gastrointestinal pathogens, as well as the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
The new rapid testing equipment also benefits elective surgeries, which have resumed at Southwest Memorial, and require that patients test negative for COVID-19 prior to the procedure.
SHS had been negotiating to purchase the BD Max Analyzer since 2019, but the purchase of the $100,000 unit was delayed by the demand for the analyzer this spring.
The Southwest Memorial Hospital Foundation raised $65,000 for the unit, and Montezuma County pitched in $36,000.
“The outpouring of support for Southwest Heath System from the community has been amazing,” Sudduth said. “I cannot express enough how much this support means to SHS and our staff. It is a great feeling to know the community recognizes our efforts and truly appreciates what the staff are sacrificing to help the community.”
SHS continues to operate a drive-thru testing for flu and COVID-19 for anyone with symptoms. The clinic is at the EMS building on the north side of campus. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with or without doctors orders.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com